Bridge-buckle for top hame-straps.



G. T. DUNCAN, S11. BRIDGE BUGKLE FOR TOP HAME STRAPS. APPLICATION FILED DBO.10, 1910. 1,005, 21, Patented 0ct.10,1911.

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7G. I. DUNCAN, Sn. BRIDGE BUCKLE FOB TOP HAME STRAPS.

APPLIOATIOH I'll ED DEO.10, 1910.

Patented Oct. 10, 1911.

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BRIDGE-BUCKLE FOR TO]? I-IAlVIE-STRAPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 10, 1910.

Patented Oct. 10, 1911. Serial No. 586,688.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnoncn T. DUNCAN, Sn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of WVashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridge-Buckles for Top Hame-Straps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a bridge buckle for top hame straps, and consists of a metal frame so constructed that it forms a bridge for the purpose of taking the weight off of the top of the flexible portion of the draft collar.

Among the many advantages to be had through the use of my improved bridge buckle, the principal will be hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure 1 is a front elevation of a collar and hames, illustrating the application of my invention. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the bridge buckle and strap. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of the bridge buckle, the strap not shown, and Fig. at is a vertical transverse section, taken on the line 4l4 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings for a more particular description of the invention, 1 indicates a collar, 2 the hames and 3 the bridge buckle for the upper ends of the hames. 4: indicates the top hame strap.

The bridge buckle comprises a pair of laterally spaced bridge bars 6, consisting of the downwardly inclined legs 7 and .horizontal top portions 8. The lower ends of the legs 7 of the bridge bars are provided with the beveled bearing portions 9, adapted to fit, as at X, in the usual recess 10 formed between the body and rim 11 and 12, respectively, of the collar.

A stud carrying plate 13 extends between the center and bottom edges of the top portions of the bridge bars and is provided with the central upright stud 1 1 to which one end of the strap 1 is connected, as shown.

The top portions 8 of the bridge bars are joined at their outer ends by the cross bars 15.

The buckle further comprises the guide bars 16 which extend between the inner or upper ends of the legs 7 of the bridge bars and serve as a guide in attaching and adjusting the strap to the buckle.

The free end of the strap is provided with a series of eyes or perforations 17 to provide for the adjustment of the strap to the hames, as will be obvious.

Among the many advantages to be had through the use of my improved buckle, the principal are as follows :The particular construction of the buckle provides for the adjustment of the hames which attach the harness to the animals collar. Owing to the bridge bars of the buckle, the weight upon the animals neck is distributed upon the body or sides of the collar, thus removing the pressure from the extreme top of the animals neck, the inside collar cap always remaining smooth as a consequence of the bridge bars taking the load from the opening portion of the collar, thus preventing the bruising and pinching that usually results from the old style flexible hame strap. The beveled bearing portions of the bridge bars force themselves into the recess formed between the body and rim of the collar for a bearing, thereby making the top of the collar firm and rigid and relieving the animal from the side friction of the collar as is the case in all open top horse collars. The bridge bars 6 and beveled bearing portions 9 are so shaped that it will be impossible for the hames to slip over the rim of the collar as is often the case in top hame straps, thus doing away with the necessity of purchasing collar peaks.

In the matter of economy, it is claimed that by my invention, the strap can be made up three inches shorter than the standard leather top hame strap, resulting in the saving of 16 hame straps of 27 inches length in every gross manufactured.

By the use of this device, a very large percentage of the sore necks so prevalent among work animals will be prevented owing to the fact that the bridge buckle always allows the inside collar cap to remain smooth on account of taking the direct weight 0E of the immediate top or opening of the collar, doing away with the pressure of the top hame strap which usually sinks into the animals neck when backing up heavy loads.

A loop may be attached to the rear bridge bar for the purpose of attaching the breeching back strap thereto, and the bridle check attachment may be provided with a hook for attachment to the bridge bars, as desired.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, it is thought that the construction and advantages of this invention will be readily understood without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principles or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, is

1. A bridge buckle for top hame straps comprising a pair of laterally spaced bridge bars provided at opposite ends with beveled bearing portions adapted to fit in the recess between the body and rim of the collar at opposite sides of the top of the flexible top portion of the collar whereby the pressure is removed from the extreme top of the animals neck and borne by opposite sides of the collar.

2. A bridge buckle of the class described comprising a pair of laterally spaced bridge bars comprising downwardly inclined leg portions and horizontal top portions, the lower ends of the leg portions having beveled bearing portions adapted to fit and bear in the recess between the body and rim of the collar at opposite sides of the top of the flexible portion of the collar.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

3. A bridge buckle of the class described comprising a pair of laterally spaced bridge bars comprising downwardly inclined leg portions provided at their lower ends with beveled bearing portions adapted to fit and bear in the recess formed between the body and rim of the collar, and horizontal top portions, a stud carrying plate extending between the center and bottom edges of the top portions of the bridge bars, a stud on the plate to which one end of the top hame strap may be attached, and cross bars connecting or joining the outer ends of the top portions of 'the bridge bars.

4. A bridge buckle of the class described comprising a pair of laterally spaced bridge bars consisting of downwardly inclined leg portions and horizontal top portions, a stud carrying plate extending between the center of the top portions of the bridge bars, cross bars extending between the outer ends of the top portions of the bridge bars, a pair of guide bars for the strap extending be tween the upper ends of the leg portions of the bridge bars, and a stud on the stud carrying plate.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE T. DUNCAN, SR. WVitnesses J. B. PENNINGTON, J B. WARREN.

Washington, D. 0. 

